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Public outcry leads Hinthar Media to drop Mawlamyine Cement Limited (MCL) as a sponsor for public event

A Mawlamyine-based, private media group has faced serious public backlash over its choice of sponsor for their public event. On November 29^th 2017, Hinthar Media organized a public debate sponsored by Mawlamyine Cement Co. Ltd. (MCL) on the “The Future of the Union of Mon Political Parties and Mon National Unity” held in Mawlamyine.

The criticism of its choice of main sponsor for the event was swift, with even the Deputy Speaker of the Mon State Parliament – Dr. Aung Nyne Oo – speaking out against the choice.

“We have to be with our people. If the debate accepted MCL as their main sponsor, I can’t accept [the debate]. We must stand with our people. The debate organizers must explain about [the policy of accepting the sponsors] before the debate starts,” said Dr. Aung Nyne Oo.

MCL has been operating a controversial coal-powered cement factory in Kyaikmayaw Township, which has drawn a large volume of criticism over its disruptive and damaging consequences for villager livelihoods and the local environment.

The public outcry eventually led Hinthar Media to drop MCL as a sponsor of the event.

“It’s true that Hinthar Media had decided to accept MCL as the main sponsor. But the Abbot of the Bago Pariyatti Monastery in Mawlamyine, civilians, and even the Deputy Speaker of the Mon State Parliament, Dr Aung Nyne Oo, criticized the sponsor. So now, we do not accept MCL as our main sponsor,” said Hinthar Media Editor and moderator of the debate Awo Kao Rot.

Later, Hinthar Media released a statement explaining the policy and procedures regarding inviting sponsors for public events. In a statement Hinthar Media said they had invited local banks and business groups to sponsor the debate and that MCL replied that they would like to be the main sponsor of the debate.

Hinthar Media also said they would put out a ‘correction’ on the sponsor list in the Hinthar Journal No 1, Vol. 34. In addition, they also apologized for the inconvenience.

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